Ear decoration



G. M. AXTELL EAR DECORATION Nov. 9, 1948.

Filed Feb 20, 1947 Patented Nov. 9, 1948 EAR nEcoa 'rro v w Gene .M. Axtell, Berkeley, Calif.

Application February 20, 1947, Serial Nlo. 729,722

This invention relates, in general, to ornaments, and has particular relation to an ear decoration.

Ear ornaments in the form of ear rings and the like Worn at the ear are old in the art. In such devices, however, the ornament has been positioned or suspended from the lobe of the ear and mounted on the lobe, for example, by a clamp, screw, or by fastening means passing through the lobe of the ear.

Guard means have also been provided for use with the familiar clamp on type of ear ornament for the purpose of preventing loss of the orna ment by the wearer, should the clamp of the ornament release its grip on the wearers ear.

The ear decoration of the present invention is not to be confused with the above mentioned types of devices, but is distinctive in the manner of its attachment to the ear and in its provision of a part which extends along the front of the ear from approximately the upper part of the helix to the lobe of the ear, with the ornamental elements or decoration mounted on and extending along said'part from approximately the upper part of the helix to the lobe of the ear.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide an ear ornament possessing characteristics in attractiveness and mountin that are not possessed by ear rings and other ear ornaments heretofore provided.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved ear decoration having a distinctive form of attachment to the ear and which is distinctive in its display of the desired ornaments or decoration along the front of the ear from approximately the upper part of the helix to the lobe of the ear.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ear decoration of the character described having various features of novelty, and which is particularly characterized by its attractiveness in use, its simplicity in construction, and its economy in manufacture.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which illustrates the manner of constructing and using an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side view of my improved ear decoration as applied to the ear;

Figure 2 is a top view of the device as shown in Figure 1;

6 Claims. (Cl. 63 -14) 1 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ear decorationj'and Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail view, partially insection, showing a-portion of a modified form "of device. Referrin now to the drawing, the ear decoration of the present invention as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 comprisesa continuous resilient member I of looped form adapted to be looped at 2* over the upperpart of the helix 3 and, at l, overthe lobe 5 of theear. The member I may be formed of resilient wire of precious of nonprec'iou's' metal or alloy,-with"its ends suitably joined, for example, by butt-welding or otherwise as desired. The continuous resilient loop may also be formed of other suitable materials within the scope of the present invention.

The inner and outer parts 6 and l of the 10615 are preferably curved so that when the loop is applied to the ear as shown in Figure 1, the parts 6 and Twill conform, in general, to the curvature of the helix of the ear. The inner part 6 extends along the back of the ear from approximately the upper part of the helix 3 to the lobe 5, following, in general, the curvature of the helix. The outer part i extends along the front of the car from approximately the upper part of the helix 3 to the lobe 5, and also follows, in general, the curvature of the helix of the ear.

Suitable decoration or ornamental elements 8 are mounted on the front part 1 of the loop and extend along the front part i from approximately the upper part of the helix 3 to the lobe 5. By extending along the front part i the decoration or ornamental elements 8 are exposed to view from the front and follow, in general, the curvature of the helix of the ear. A full ear display is thus provided without in anywise interfering with the functioning of the ear.

In the drawing the ornamental elements or decorations 8 are shown in the form of floral decorations carried, for example, by a wire or cord 9 which is twisted about the front part I of the loop to secure the ornaments thereto. The ornaments or decorations 8 may be of other than floral form, and may be attached to the front part 1 of the continuous resilient loo-p in other ways than that shown in the drawing, which is for illustrative purposes only.

In the modification shown in Figure 4, the inner part of the continuous resilient loop has contiguous or adjacent ends Ill and II. The end II has a tubular part l2 which fits telescopically for sliding movement over a head or abutment it on the other end l0. The free end of the tubular part I2 is turned in annularly at l4, and a coiled compression spring l5 encircles the end and is interposed or confined between the head or abutment l3 and the inturned end 14 of the tubular part. The spring l5 holds the loop firmly in place on the ear and permits lengthening of the loop to fit diiferent ears. When the loop is in place on the ear the tubular part I2 is concealed behind the helix of the ear and, at the same time, conceals the spring [5 and. encloses thev same against contact with the ear:

The embodiments of the invention shown in the drawing are for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be expressly understood that suclr drawing and the accompanying specification are not to be construed as a definitionof: thelimits:

or scope of the invention, reference being had to. the appended claims for that purpose.

I claim:

1. An article of the class described comprising a continuous resilient member of looped form adapted to be looped over the upper part of, the helixand over the lobe of the ear. with one side 7 of the loop extending, along the: back of the ear and the other side of the loop extending. along the front of the ear and acting as a support for decorative elements, and decorative elements mounted onvand extending. along; the side of the looped member which extends along the outer side of the ear to provide ear ornamentation: extending; from. the upper part of the helix tothe lobe of the: ear.

2-.v An article: according to" claim r wherein the 4 outer and inner sides of the loop are curved to conform in general to the curvature of the helix of the ear. 7

3. An article of the class described comprising a decoration support adapted to be fastened to the ear and including an inner member extending along the back of the ear from approximately the upper part of the helix to the lobe of the ear, an

outer memberextending along the front of the ear from approximately the upper part of the helix tothelobe of the ear, and decoration means mounted on and extending along said outer memher from approximately the upper part of the helix. to the lobe of the ear.

4". An article according to claim 3 wherein the outer'mem'ber is curved to conform in general to the curvature of, the. helix of the ear.

5. An article according to claim 3 wherein the inner member which extends along the back of the ear includes a spring operable to hold the device firmly in place on the ear and to permit application of the device to different ears.

6. An article according to claim 3 wherein the inner, member which. extends along the back of the ear includes-adjacent ends, one having a tubular part telescoping for sliding movement over the other end with a spring enclosed within said. tubular part and acting to hold the device firmly in place on the ear and to permit application of the device to different ears.

GENE M. AXTELL.

No references cited. 

